🏌🏻 Eventful 24 Hours In Golf

Good morning. There’s so much to unpack today in an eventful last 24 hours. But let’s start with what all of us would be watching this weekend (we know because you told us!).

We asked you: What Is #1 On Your Watchlist This Week? An overwhelming 90% of us voted in favor of the WM Phoenix Open over LIV Las Vegas.

Here’s the what you’ll read in today’s edition:

🏌🏻 While Jon Rahm expressed his desire to play the PGA Tour, many tour players expressed strongly against it. We bring you the scoop.

🏌🏻 More details on how PGA Tour will distribute the $930 million to tour players.

🏌🏻 Saudi Arabia issues a shocking (maybe not) prison threat to people cooperating with the US Government in golfing probe.

That, and a release drill to help club-face control in today's edition of Golf Reporter.

⛳ This day in history: On this date in 1962, Arnold Palmer shot a first-round 64 in the Phoenix Open, one of his lowest rounds ever on the PGA Tour, to be the leader. The 2024 WM Phoenix Open tees off today.

ALBATROSS
$930 Million Breakdown: How Much Will The Players Get?

The PGA Tour will distribute $930 million among 193 players across four groups following its $1.5 billion deal with the Strategic Sports Group (SSG).

💰 Group 1 will have $750 million in equity granted to 36 players based on career performance, last five-year performance, and Player Impact Program results. Top stars like Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy are a part of this group.

💰 Group 2 will consist of $75 million granted to 64 players based on performance of last three years.

💰 Group 3 will be an additional $30 million granted to 57 players who have earned certain fully-exempt PGA Tour status.

💰 Group 4 will be focused on legacy players, like Jack Nicklaus, and grant $75 million to 36 players who were instrumental to building the modern PGA Tour, based on career performance.

Another $600 million will be distributed through recurring grants in the amounts of $100 million each year starting with the 2025 PGA Tour season and continuing through 2030.

TWEET
Worth Mentioning

EAGLE
PGA Tour Pros Against LIV Golf Defectors

Rory McIlroy believes there should be no punishment for LIV Golf defectors wishing to play again on the PGA Tour but most of his peers disagree.

World No 1 Scottie Scheffler and other stars including Rickie Fowler and Justin Thomas have taken a strong stance against LIV Golf defectors.

Scottie Scheffler: Scheffler believes that players leaving the PGA Tour to join LIV Golf and then some of them suing the Tour wasn't in great taste.

Rickie Fowler: Fowler recently stated on record that there should be some sort of penalty for the players who left the PGA Tour but now wish to return.

Justin Thomas: Thomas is also not ready to invite LIV Golfers back to the PGA Tour without any penalty. He stated that he “would have a hard time” with letting LIV Golf players back on the American circuit.

LOCKER ROOM
What else is making news

LIV Las Vegas: LIV Golf fans have been given the chance to play alongside some of the sport's biggest stars in this week's Pro-Am event at Las Vegas Country Club, but will need to pay $10,000 to earn a spot. Those who want to just watch from behind the ropes, ground passes for the opening day on Friday start at a more affordable $47. Tickets for Saturday and Sunday are slightly more expensive, costing $51 for round two and $57 for round three.

Rory McIlroy: Rory McIlroy announced on social media that he will return to defend his title at the Genesis Scottish Open in July. The tournament is co-sanctioned by the PGA TOUR and DP World Tour.

LIV Golf: LIV Golf player Carlos Ortiz claims players were promised OWGR points while signing for the league. The Saudi-backed league continues to be stripped of ranking points despite their best efforts.

Tyrrell Hatton: LIV Golf's newest star Tyrrell Hatton has admitted that his Ryder Cup future is uncertain following his move away from the PGA Tour. Hatton was one of the heroes as Luke Donald’s side comprehensively beat the US at Marco Simone last year, collecting 3.5 points from his four matches.

Majesticks GC: LIV Golf team Majesticks GC have roped in Open Sky Group as the team's fifth sponsor since its inception and will feature on the digital panel of the players' golf bags. The agreement with OSG follows in the footsteps of the team's global sponsor, OKX, on-course apparel partner, Redvanly, and sports travel business, Destination Sport.

PGA Tour Champions: Five former Major Champions including John Daly, Ernie Els, David Toms, Mike Weir, Steven Alker, and Stephen Ames have committed to PGA Tour Champions event Chubb Classic. It will be held from Feb. 16-18 at Tiburon Golf Club in Naples.

BIRDIE
20-Year Saudi Prison Threat

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has threatened to imprison not only bankers but also consultants it has worked with if they choose to cooperate with the US Government as it continues to investigate the agreement between the PIF, LIV Golf and the PGA Tour.

Both the Department of Justice and US Senate have held a keen interest in the talks between the Tour and PIF, the financial backers of LIV Golf, over the last seven months.

On February 6, the committee held a hearing in Washington, D.C., that featured PIF consultants Paul Keary (Teneo Strategy), Michael Klein (M. Klein & Co.), Rich Lesser (Boston Consulting Group) and Bob Sternfels (McKinsey).

This has happened at a time when the PIF’s governor and LIV Golf chairman, Yasir Al-Rumayyan, is already facing a $74 million lawsuit in Canadian court.

Discussions between the PGA Tour and PIF regarding the merger remain ongoing though.

DRIVING RANGE
Release Golf Drill For Better Club-Face Control

This single-handed release drill will allow you to sense how the lead arm should move into the golf ball. It will help you with club face control, club face stability and speed.

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